 Dear Friends,
Welcome to the first edition of the Sphinx Organization’s international newsletter!
In preparing this message, I began reflecting on the vision of the Sphinx Organization—the one overarching goal that drives our work each day— “Sphinx envisions a world in which classical music reflects cultural diversity and plays a role in the everyday lives of youth.”
We know the challenges of access to the arts and diversity do not stop at our country’s borders, but are challenges faced by all nations across the world.
As we are coming up on 15 years of building diversity in classical music, Sphinx is embarking on a mission to truly impact the world and see our vision realized. From Venezuela to South Africa, Paraguay to Belgium, Sphinx artists are bring diversity to classical music and engaging youth typically excluded from our art form.
We would particularly like to thank the U.S. State Department and the fantastic advocates at our embassies around the world who support our vision and believe in uplifting the youth of their respective countries. We also thank our many partner organizations that are working on the ground in a number of countries and share our vision. These relationships are invaluable to our work as we learn from each other and discover new ways to improve access, build community, and truly diversify classical music in every sense of the word.
I hope you enjoy reading this newsletter to discover what Sphinx artists are doing around the world to bring us closer to our vision. If you would like to continue to receive future versions of the international newsletter, please contact Caitlin Ilich via e-mail at Caitlin@SphinxMusic.org.
With Warm Regards,
Aaron Dworkin
Founder and President
The Catalyst Quartet, Sphinx’s premier chamber ensemble, has been invited to South Africa to perform at the University of Witwatersrand and the University of South Africa in June 2011.
Photo: Nan Melville
Sphinx Around the World
Spotlight: London
 Students from Highbury Grove School pose with Juan-Miguel Hernandez at Winfield House
A
performance at Winfield House, the residence of United States
Ambassador to the United Kingdom Louis Susman, in October 2009 marked
the official launch of the Sphinx Organization’s international
programming.
Surrounding this performance were school outreach sessions in partnership with local organizations including In Harmony England and London Music Masters.
 Christopher Jenkins, Violist of the Catalyst Quartet with an In Harmony Student
Building
on the success of this residency, the Catalyst Quartet traveled to
London for additional work with our partners in July 2010, including
serving as the featured ensemble in an In Harmony England-sponsored documentary about school outreach and engaging diverse, underserved populations.
Also
in July, four Sphinx Laureates, Tony Rymer, Andrew Griffin, Gareth
Johnson and Jason Amos were selected to participate in a performance of Bernstein’s Mass, organized by London’s Southbank Centre.
Conducted by Marin Alsop, this diverse, international orchestra
performed to great acclaim. Sphinx has also built our relationship with
the Southbank Centre to include office space for Sphinx staff.
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International Events
May 15-21, 2011
Sphinx artist Marie-Elise McNeeley in Belgium
June 2, 2011
Catalyst Quartet at the University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
June 3, 2011
Catalyst Quartet workshop at the University of Witwatersrand
June 4, 2011
Catalyst Quartet at the University of South Africa Sunnyside Campus, Pretoria, South Africa
October 12, 2011
Sphinx Laureates at Carnegie Hall,
New York, New York
February 8-12,2012
Sphinx15!
15th Annual
Sphinx Competition Detroit, Michigan
On the Horizon:
2011/2012
Sphinx Laureate Gareth Johnson at the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra, Durban, South Africa
The Sphinx Organization is the international non-profit dedicated to building diversity in classical music.
Through a series of educational programs including artist residencies and outreach sessions, Sphinx is “changing the face” of classical music around the world.
Our mission is:
-To increase the participation of ethnic minorities and disadvantaged youth: in music schools; as professional musicians; and as classical music audiences
-To administer youth development initiatives in underserved communities through music education
-To promote the creation, performance, and preservation of works by minority composers
Spotlight: Venezuela
2010 also featured a Sphinx partnership with the United States Embassy in Caracas, Venezuela.
The Harlem Quartet participated in an eight-day trip which included
performances at international music festivals, a recital at United
States Ambassador Patrick Duddy’s residence, and masterclasses for
students in Venezuela’s renowned El Sistema.
 Above: The Harlem Quartet and U.S. Ambassador Patrick Duddy at the Ambassador’s residence in Caracas, Venezuela.
The artists also had the opportunity to make a number of public
appearances including a press conference, a radio show, and on a popular
late-night television program.
After
appearing on television, the musicians were recognized by several
individuals while out shopping, all of whom said they enjoyed watching
the show!
These residencies offered exceptional cultural exchange experiences, and Sphinx looks forward to many more in 2011 and beyond!
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Sphinx and the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra
Forge a Partnership
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Marie-Elise McNeeley Performs in Belgium
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Caleb Jones
Receives Teaching Fellowship in South Africa
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In late 2010, Sphinx formalized a partnership with South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra wherein the orchestra will present the senior division winner of the Sphinx Competition each year, beginning with 2010 first-place Laureate Gareth Johnson.
 Photo: Glenn Triest
The orchestra will host the Laureate for a week, during which time the artist will appear as a soloist and conduct outreach sessions through their educational programs.
Sphinx would like to extend our appreciation to Bongani Tembe, the KZNPO’s Chief Executive Officer and Artistic Director, for working with us to make this exciting partnership a reality!
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At the invitation of the U.S. Embassy in Brussels, Belgium, Sphinx alumnae Marie-Elise McNeeley will be visiting the country from May 16-20, 2011.
Marie-Elise and the Embassy with be partnering with a Belgian organization, “Diversité sur Scènes” (Diversity on Scenes), which shares the Sphinx Organization’s mission of diversity in the arts.
Throughout the week, Marie-Elise will work with a diverse group of beginning string players, teaching them the basics of the violin.
She will also give a number of recitals, performing Baroque-era repertoire, accompanied by a local harpist. Congratulations to Marie-Elise on this exciting opportunity!
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Sphinx Competition alumnus and Sphinx Symphony Orchestra member Caleb Jones will be teaching in Port Elizabeth, South Africa from March through November 2011 as a faculty member of the Eastern Cape Philharmonic Orchestra’s Music Investment Project.
Like Sphinx, the ECPO brings music education to young people who would not otherwise have the opportunity to participate.
During his time in Port Elizabeth, Caleb will also perform as a member of the Eastern Cape Philharmonic, in addition to coaching their youth orchestra and serving as a mentor and instructor for the annual five-day Youth Orchestral Experience.
To learn more about the Music Investment Project please visit:
Eastern Cape Philharmonic Orchestra: Music Investment Project
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For more information about the Sphinx Organization’s international work, or to support our efforts around the world, please contact Caitlin Ilich at (313) 877-9100 ext.710, or via e-mail at Caitlin@SphinxMusic.org.
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